So I have been hearing this question often lately, “what is the meaning of the Barber Pole?”

Let me try and explain to the best of my knowledge. Originally barbers use to do hair and surgery. It was in the time of bloodletting (draining lots of blood to cure or prevent sickness). Cant even imagine going to the barber to have this done or even having this done now days. I guess it is more like a blood transfusion.

The top of the pole is where they would keep leeches and at the bottom is where the blood would go. Great stuff huh. Going to the barber and just seeing that. I don’t think I would have this blog if that were the case today, ha. I have heard it said that it is on a pole because it symbolizes the pole one would hold when getting surgery.
WHO CARES ABOUT THAT WHAT ABOUT THE COLORS?

So what would happen is they would have a clean bandage (white) and a used bandage (red) wrapped around the patients arm, which is the twist. As you would look for the barber you would look for this sign.

Some say they would put the bandages outside and with wind blowing the white and red bandages would twist and this is where it would come from…. Then someone decided to paint it on a pole. Soon the barber started to place these outside to let people know there was a barber who could perform all types of surgery.


Now before someone types barber pole in Google Image search and comments “Mike barber poles are actually red, white, and blue…. not red and white like in your post! ZING!”
I Know let me tell you how the blue came into the picture, so just relax.

The color blue is introduced because doctors and barber started to use the same marketing technique placing these poles outside. The doctors were like we are more educated and better than you barber… and the United Barber Surgeon Company required barbers to use blue and surgeons to use red. Some reports say that the blue appeared in the USA as the countries colors, but you must make your own mind up. I say cause the color blue is awesome so it was placed there because it was the best color around at the time. Maybe there was a sale on blue at the corner market and someone placed it on the pole and like Facebook it took off before anyone ever knew what it truly was.

BAM there you have it, if you don’t believe it then research for yourself or ask your local barber….